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PANDEF, Ohaneze, Middle Belt Forum, fumes as PDP throws Presidential ticket open

The zoning committee of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, contrary to the expectation of its southern members, has recommended an open race for the party’s 2023  presidential ticket.

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The party’s 37-person zoning committee, which took the decision at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday, cited ‘exigency of time’ for its recommendation.

One of our correspondents learned the committee based its recommendation on the high voter turnout in the North and the party’s determination to return to power.

According to a leaked document obtained by one of our correspondents, the committee stated that although zoning was affirmed in the party’s constitution, exigencies of time made it to dump the arrangement.

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But the recommendation of the committee generated angry reactions from organisations such as the Igbo socio-cultural group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum and the Middle Belt Forum with some of them saying it would affect the chances of the PDP in the 2023 polls.

But justifying its decision, the PDP committee, in the document titled, “Recommendations of PDP Zoning Committee,” stated, “ Zoning, as in our party constitution, is affirmed. In spite of the above, the ticket is thrown open, this time around due to the exigency of the time.

“Our party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms.

“Our party should commend the efforts of some of our contestants on the issue of consensus candidacy; the efforts should be seen to a peaceful and logical conclusion.”

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PANDEF in its reaction expressed dismay at the decision of the zoning committee of the PDP.

PANDEF in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, said the decision arrived at by the Governor Samuel Ortom-led committee would have consequences.

Robinson alleged that the committee was playing out a script, saying its decision was, however, not surprising, insisting that for fairness, equity and justice, the next president in 2023 should come from the South-South.

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He stated, “It is an awful decision and there will be consequences. But we are not utterly surprised at the development.

“The outcome was predictable; there were evident pointers that this would be the conclusion. Governor Ortom’s Committee had a script and they have played it out, with due deference to some patriots that were in the committee.

“The level of desperation and political debauchery being demonstrated by some political stakeholders is deplorable and quite disappointing. Regrettably, we are in a society where it seems anything goes.”

It is height of hypocrisy – Ohanaeze
Ohanaeze Ndigbo described the recommendation of the committee as the height of the hypocrisy of politicians.

It advised presidential aspirants from the South-East not to be demoralised instead should continue in the struggle until the result is achieved.

The spokesman for the apex Igbo body, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, who spoke with one of our correspondents on the telephone, stated, “Any person that rises to oppose zoning is not very well-informed about zoning,” adding, “every Nigeria had known about this zoning. It is in the constitution, it has been the practice, it has favoured all other geo-political zones and they are all aware.

“So, for anyone to even make that remark is the height of hypocrisy and that is the dangerous thing about Nigerian politicians’ inability to stand for truth and principles. But there must be justice.”

He added, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, however, will continue to talk in a relentless exercise. So we cannot be discouraged because we know that we are on the path to peace, a path for unity, a path for equity and justice, a part that will unify Nigeria on sustainable national development and anything to the contrary will not be good for the country.

“Unfortunately for this country, with all these agitations going on in the South East, there can’t be peace, there can’t be unity, there can’t be nation-building and there can’t be development or sustainable development. So who is losing? Who is disadvantaged? Who are they targeting? It is a matter of choice for Nigeria, is it for Nigeria to continue to retrogress or to progress,” he queried.

PDP will lose if northerner emerges – MBF
On his part, the President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr Pogu Bitrus, insisted that a southern Presidency in 2023 was not negotiable.

Bitrus told The PUNCH that he was not bothered by the PDP’s decisions, adding that the Middle Belt Forum was not part of any political party.

He added, “We stand by our word. We are consistent. We will work against any party that produces a northern candidate and we are not shying away from our commitment. As far as we are concerned, the North has had it for eight years and it should go to the South.”